Journey to Washington in the Age of Transformation

January 27th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 3 Comments

When Audrey James approached me about going to the Inauguration of our 44^th President, I was thrilled! I would go as a team member of Paradigm Nouveau Enterprises, her transformational organization meeting the challenges of climate change, and also a sponsor of the Presidential Inauguration Conference. There was a reception at the Willard Hotel, right next to the White House, to watch the swearing-in ceremony. Parades, balls, galas-oh my! On to Washington!

After all the fuss of getting ready for the big city, I set my inner compass on travel mode, a curiosity about new people and places, a relaxed openness that allows adventure to happen.

This particular adventure is about the people … we the people .. headed to Washington in droves to celebrate a government of, by, and for the people.

Let’s meet some of them:

Ginger opens the gate to this particular adventure. With a confident gesture, she motions me to sit next to her in the departure lounge in Denver. “Are you going to the Inauguration?” I ask the obvious, and a huge smile spreads across her polished face, making it glow even brighter.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world- I’ve been working and saving for this for two years!” She speaks a bit about the extra jobs she has taken on: helping people organize, pack, move, and helping the Obama campaign as much as she could manage as a single Mom. Later, in the jetway, she and another inaugural pilgrim are talking exuberantly about how much they love Obama. “I HAD to come to see this so I could tell my five-year-old son about this moment. And I’m so happy he will grow up knowing it’s cool to be smart!” Everyone in earshot chimes in: “It’s cool to speak in complete sentences.” “It’s cool to be ethical.” “It’s cool to take care of yourself” “It’s cool to take care of other people.”

This sets the tone for Washington — everyone is talking to everyone. A Thai family is chatting away at baggage claim. People from all over the country share their stories while waiting for bags. They are excited; they are relieved. A flight attendant is worried about the finances of her company. A young student is making a short film of his trip in hopes that he can win a scholarship. A woman from Minnesota is going to a group smudging of the White House (an energy clearing done with a smoldering bundle of aromatic sage). This event, organized by activist and humorist Kate Clinton, is open to the public and will be held symbolically in Dupont Circle. Another woman chimes in that she hopes Michelle actually DOES have the White House smudged. A man has heard that there will also be a shoe-throwing in Dupont Circle. (This event is later broadcast — but only on Spanish-language TV. The shoes are collected, then given away to needy families).

Energy from all over the world is going into anticipating the New Administration. The man who greets me at the airport restaurant is from Afghanistan. A Muslim couple in tribal dress form a quiet spot as they face East for evening prayers. Next to my table is a group of elegant ladies speaking Spanish- possibly from Argentina. On the other side a statuesque woman with hair styled in intricate corn rows chats in French with an elegantly-dressed gentleman. I cannot place the accent and my curiosity gets the better of me: “Vous arrivez ou vous partez en ce moment?” “Are you coming or going?” Again, the big smile that just seems to float from face to face. “We are here for the duration.” They are from Cote d’ Ivoire. Snippets of Chinese and Urdu arise from the tables, and accents from all over America.

We the people, all coming to witness history, to be part of a sea change … And, from some deep place in our political soul, as ordained by our forefathers, we have come in order to form a more perfect union.

Good Luck to Us!

Sarah Larrabee

PNE Staffer